By JENNIKA INGRAM | Reporter
Two local teens are teaming up with Palisadian mom Tracie Shepard to host an annual Fall Festival at Corpus Christi Parish Hall to help connect foster kids with members of the community interested in being a foster parent or mentor.
Up to 50 foster kids are expected to attend the event, presented by Corpus Christi Respect Life Ministry and Kidsave, taking place on October 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The event, geared for adults, will have opportunities for the kids to meet mentors and/or adoptive parents, as well as those interested to learn more about becoming a foster parent, mentor or host family.
“We were inspired to participate in this event because we like helping kids who are less fortunate and deserve a better life,” Robert Power, one of the two teen organizers, said ahead of the event. Power has partnered with his friend and classmate Alec Shepard and his mom, Tracie, to help put on the event.
“Far too many kids are growing up without permanent parents around the world,” the Kidsave website reports. In the United States, 442,000 children are in foster care and more than eight million around the world are in institutions, according to Kidsave.
The Kidsave Weekend Miracles activities will include pumpkin carving, cookie decorating, games, a photo booth and face painting.
Several families at Corpus have mentored foster kids through events like this, including Tracie herself, who met a foster child, now 26 years old, several years ago.
“Members of the community can help by learning about becoming mentors, host families or adoptive parents to these children and meeting the foster kids,” Power explained. “Donations for this event are also welcome.”
Orientation for new families who are interested in becoming a foster parent or mentor starts at 10:45 a.m.
Alec and Power, both students in Crespi Carmelite High School Class of 2020, will volunteer at the event, along with moms from Corpus Christi.
For more information, contact Lauren Reicher Gordon at lauren@kidsave.org.
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